A new life for Sofia

Chapter five

I'm speechless. I knew that there was a big chance Tomas didn't make it, but I still had hope. And now, all I can think about is my promise to Sofia. I have no idea how to tell her this. I look at my wife, and I don't know what to do.

''That is just, so so sad.'' I manage to get out of my mouth. My voice cracks and I get tears in my eyes. I don't even know how this is possible. I have never been affected before by bad calls, but this is just awful. I feel like I have to protect Sofia.

''Hey, I know bambina, it's going to be okay." Carina looks at me and holds me close.

''I have to tell her Carina, I made her a promise.'' 

''I understand Maya, but before you do, I want to ask Doctor Shepherd and Doctor Robbins if it's ok for you to share the news right now, because of the circumstances.'' Carina wipes away a tear from Maya's face.

''Ok, how about you go look for them, while I sit with Sofia. I don't want her to be alone.''

Carina takes a hold of Maya's hands. ''It's going to be okay, tesoro.'' She whispers in Maya's ear.

''It's just that, she doesn't have any family or connections here. She is just a little girl. It's so sad that she's alone.'' Maya's voice is thick with emotion.

''I know I know, but we will figure this out.''

''Alright babe, I love you so much.'' Maya kisses Carina.

''Anch'io ti amo Maya, per sempre.'' She leaves and starts looking for Sofia's doctors.

...

Maya takes a deep breath and tries to hide the emotion on her face. She wipes away her tears and gets ready to enter the room. When she opens the door, Sofia is fast asleep. Maya is secretly grateful. She let's out a sigh. She takes a seat next to Sofia and holds her hand.

Meanwhile Carina had found Amelia and Arizona. She has just told them about Tomas. They were about to enter the room to tell her the results and the bad news, but they decide not to wake the bambina. She's probably not going to get a lot of sleep after she hears the news, so they figure it's best to let her rest while she can. The plan is that Carina and Maya will stay in the room with Sofia, and that when Sofia wakes up, Carina will page Arizona and Amelia and explain what happened.

After a couple hours of sleep, Maya feels movement in her hand. She hasn't let go of Sofia's hand since she entered the room. 

''Hey sweety, how was your nap?'' Maya asks, while Carina pages Shepherd and Robbins.

''It was good Maya, I'm sorry I fell asleep, I know you wanted me to stay awake.'' Sofia's voice sounds a little raspy from her nap.

''You're fine little one.'' Maya answers with a small smile.

Amelia and Arizona enter the room together.

''Hey Sofia, it looks like you have three broken ribs and a grade two concussion. We would like you to stay in the hospital for at least one night, but you seem to be okay.'' Amelia says.

''That's great news honey!'' Maya tells Sofia.

Sofia looks a little sad and whimpers a little. 

''What's wrong little girl?'' Maya asks.

''I don't know where I'm going to live.'' She sadly tells the adults in the room. She already looks broken, and she hasn't heard about Tomas yet. 

''We will figure it out bambina, it's going to be all right.''

The adults in the room all look at each other. Maya decides to take the lead.

''There is something else we have to tell you baby girl.''

Sofia looks at Maya

''I'm sorry honey, but Tomas didn't make it.'' Maya tries to deliver the news as best as she can.

''How is that possible, you said that Grey-Sloan had the best doctors!'' She looks at Maya while tears are forming in her eyes.

''I know honey, but his heart was too damaged. They weren't able to start his heart again.''

Sofia started sobbing loudly in Maya's arms.

''He was my best friend.''

Maya and Carina share a look. They both know that the other person thinks the same thing. After fifteen minutes of full on crying, Sofia's cries turn into little sobs. She is looking straight ahead of her. It looks like she is completely lost in her mind. She looks numb.

''Can I please watch some television. I don't want to think about today anymore.'' Maya nods and turns on the tv. She hands the remote to Sofia.

''Do you want us to stay in the room?'' Maya asks Sofia.

''Yes please.''

They watch cartoons for about an hour, but Sofia looks like she is not there. While she is physically there, her mind seems to be in another place. They stay silent until Sofia turns the tv off.

''Do you want me to sing you to sleep bella?'' Carina asks.

''Sure, if you want to.''

Carina immediately knows what song she is going to sing. It's the song she always sang to her little brother. It's the song she plans to sing for her own child before bedtime.

''Avrai sorrisi sul tuo viso come ad agosto grille e stelle''

''Storie fotografate dentro un album rilegato in pelle''

Sofia slowly fell asleep to Carina's voice. She looked very peaceful, even though this was probably the worst day of her life.

''Do you want to stay here for the night bella?'' Carina asks.

''I think I do; I don't want her to be alone. You should probably go home though, since there is only room for one and you haven't been feeling great. You should get a full night of sleep.'' Maya answers, looking deeply into Carina's eyes.

''I will, in a few minutes. First, I'm going to get you some food, because the last thing you ate was probably breakfast, and it's almost 10PM now.'' Carina gives her wife a little smile. She knows that because of all of the events today, Maya likely didn't eat anything after breakfast. 

''Thank you, babe.'' There were a few minutes of silence until Maya spoke again.

''Carina, if it turns out she doesn't have any place else to go to, I think I might be open to adopting her.'' She looks at Carina, dead serious. Carina gives Maya a little smile. ''I knew you felt a connection with her the minute I walked into the room bella. I think I would like that as well.''

They admire each other, before they share a kiss and Carina heads of to get Maya some food. After sitting with Maya and Sofia for a while, Carina says goodbye. All she wanted this morning was for Maya to be sleeping, safe in her arms tonight. She definitely did not expect the day to go like this.

.....

Another update! Let me know what you think.